Young people, you are not alone. Here’s what you have been sending me

Here is what I am hearing from young people 17-25 about what I am writing and you are sharing from Emotionally Naked.

The fact is these young people have suffered through a system so broken and in a society so unaccepting of their struggles, is heartbreaking. And reading these brings tears to my eyes.

It’s utterly amazing they have done as well as they have. So proud of all of you. One day you will get support and acceptance. Help me work on that by sharing these posts.

I am honored you wrote me and I thought you’d be interested in what others your age are saying. These have been edited for privacy to protect identities.

…Throughout reading many of your posts on your website i am at a loss for words. I went to [this school] with charles for about [this many] months. We were not the closest of friends but he sure did bring a smile to my face when i got to see him. I have been struggling on and off for years with anxiety, depression and addiction. Your articles made me so incredibly happy that awareness is being brought to a topic that is rarely focused on. I sympathize with Charles’ pain in so many different ways but often don’t know where to turn. Just wanted to let you know your article made my day and made it all the way to [this other state] u and charles give me so much hope and the strength u have displayed is incredible. Thank u so much.

I met Charles when he was [at this school]… and I also suffer from general anxiety and situational anxiety on top of PTSD and major depressive disorder which has led me to be placed into care at [at this psych hospital]. I wish I could have reached out to Charles before everything happen because he always brought light to any situation he was around. I’m very sorry for your loss and I truly love seeing what you are doing in remembrance of him and the mental disorder community.

I just wanted to thank you for advocating to people about how important it is to gain knowledge about depression and drug addiction. You’re doing a great deed to families and communities all over with your writing. You are just as much an angel as Charles is, a true inspiration. I wish you the best always.

It’s just the depression part that always brings me back. It’s like my only motivation to live is just so I can use again which is the most hopeless horrible feeling. I felt like charles and I were in the same situation but he acted on it before I did and I wish it had been the other way around. I would take his place if I could…..The mental health system really needs reform. I will keep in touch thanks for talking.

 … Like Charles i struggled with depression, drugs, etc and I’m sure we have similar stories. And although i have been sober and have completely turned my life around, i still struggle with signs of depression and anxiety. I attempted suicide around three years ago, but have kept quiet of it. Reading your story makes me only hope one day i will be able to speak out without having an uneasy feelings. I would never want anyone to go through what we have to. I just wanted to thank you for your story and speaking about it. I know you have a wound that may never be healed, but you have made me realize so much from a “mom’s” point of view. So sorry for your loss, and wish you nothing but the best. Thank you!  Note: (This writer did send me his story and it’s posted here. So far over 10,000 views and shares on Facebook.)

I feel as if many parents want to believe that it will never happen to their kid or their kids won’t deal with any of these symptoms. As I struggled my parents didn’t really know how to deal with it, they didn’t know what to do. Until sending me away was the only thing they could do. Not only do we need to help the kids, but we need to inform the parents of what’s going on.

Dear Heroin, I F-ing HATE you!